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A rare find, this unit was one of Pioneer’s earliest CD players and emerged at a time when the audio industry was experimenting with its first solutions for the new digital format. In practical terms, it was an improved version of the PD-70, which was only available in silver, and this model, in addition to the features of its younger sibling, could be controlled remotely via an infrared remote control and originally came with a large-diameter OFC copper power cable.
The unit, solid and robust in its construction, proved and remains the ideal complement to the A-77X, A-88X, A-80 and A-90 amplifiers, with which it paired not only in terms of sound signature but also thanks to a consistent aesthetic that integrated perfectly. The unit on sale retains the distinctive presence typical of Pioneer’s mid-1980s production, with a level of attention to detail and proportions that underscores its collector’s value.
It was a high-class player, equipped with the proprietary VWY061 cartridge, one of the Japanese brand’s earliest mechanisms. It was an exceptional pick-up which, like the famous Philips CDM-0 and CDM-1 or the Sony KSS-100, still works perfectly today without any signs of wear, demonstrating the incredible reliability of the technical solutions of that era. This is in stark contrast to modern mechanisms, which are often flimsy and even fitted to contemporary high-end players, yet fail to last beyond the warranty period. The VWY061, crafted from solid die-cast metal in the traditional manner, remains, after nearly forty years, ready to face another forty.
The player also featured the Sony CX20017 DAC, which, for the record, was also used in legendary models such as the Kenwood-Trio DP-1100, Sony CDP-101 and CDP-501ES, and Yamaha CD-1a, effectively serving as a guarantee for vintage enthusiasts and those seeking early examples of high-quality digital conversion.
A collector’s item, refurbished and in excellent condition, capable of playing burned discs as well.
It comes with a copy of the PD-70 user manual in English, identical apart from the aforementioned remote control capability, a feature that completed the technical package of this rare and significant artefact from the early days of the Compact Disc.
